Staff Administration

Staffing decisions are among the most important decisions that foundations will make. Foundation staff are responsible for executing organizational strategies and advancing the foundation’s mission; without strong and competent employees, the foundation may be left floundering. In human resource decisions, foundations must assess needs; recruit, screen, select, and hire personnel; orient new employees; and develop evaluation, training, and development strategies for long-term growth.

This report examines the demographics of the philanthropic sector, looking back over five and ten years, with a specific focus on the representation of women and people of color. The data has been sourced from the Council’s Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey, representing a rich set of data points from more than 1,000 grantmakers, including data on nearly ten 10,000 full-time paid professional and administrative positions.

Non-profit searches for a new CEO generally take a minimum of four months, and can take as long as six to eight months. A clear sense of mission and a well understood position description for the new President and CEO will be absolutely essential for success in identifying and, more importantly attracting the right kind of person. This kit includes a look at finding an Executive Search Firm, sample timelines, job descriptions, and compensation.

From Grantcraft, whether it's introducing new ideas into your foundation or offering constructive feedback to a grantee, grantmakers can develop personal strategies to meet the "soft" challenges of grantmaking. Effective personal strategy helps practitioners use their understanding of self and role - as learner, analyst, bridge builder - to manage the tensions that come with the job. In this guide, contributors discuss the elements of personal strategy and how it helps grantmakers to leverage their strengths in service to their objectives. The guide also explores why some grantmakers are able to think and work like "naturals" - and how the rest of us can emulate their style.

This webinar addresses the core question: How can emerging community foundations staff at small scale for big results? It presents principles employed by a group of small, growing community foundations in California, and illustrates the priorities and personalities that were drivers of specific staffing approaches.